THE VOICE OF BUSINESS IN NORTHERN MINDANAO

Monday, March 8, 2010

NOTICE to All CEPALCO Customers - Subject: New DAILY Brownout Schedules for March 11 to 16, 2010

8 March 2010

NOTICE to All CEPALCO Customers
Subject: New DAILY Brownout Schedules for March 11 to 16, 2010

Please find below the load shedding schedule [5 hours DAILY rotating brownouts] within the CEPALCO service area for the period March 11 to March 16, 2010 [Thursday to Tuesday] due to the continuing power supply curtailments imposed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines [NGCP] all over Mindanao. Again, CEPALCO would like to caution customers that the actual switch off and switch on time may slightly vary from the announced schedule depending on the actual load curtailment level imposed by NGCP on CEPALCO on a day to day basis.


Time of Brownout
Dates: March 11 & 14
Dates: March 12 & 15
Dates: March 13 & 16
 8:00am to 1:00pm
Group  A
Group  B
Group  C
1:00pm to 6:00pm
Group  B
Group  C
Group  A
6:00pm to 11:00pm
Group  C
Group  A
Group  B

GROUP  A  Areas [Charlie 1 & Charlie 4]:
CHARLIE 1:
1.       Greater portion of the City Poblacion along and bounded by Hayes St., Mortola St., JR Borja St. including S.Daumar St. up to corner JR. Borja St., Aguinaldo St. up to corner Justo Ramonal St.,
2.       Along Pabayo St.; including portions of C. Pacana St., JR Borja St., Gomez St., C.Taal St., T.Neri St., Abejuela St., Hayes St. and Gaerlan St. from Pabayo St..
3.       Hayes St. from corner A.Velez St. towards City Hall area & Burgos St., along T.Chavez St. from Burgos St. up to Tiano Bros. St. - including portions of Tiano Bros. St., Rizal St., Capistrano St. from Hayes St.; and; Dolores St..
4.       Along Burgos St. from T.Chavez St. up to corner Gomez St. including portions of Abejuela St., T.Neri St., Cruz Taal St. and Gomez St. from Burgos St..
5.       Surroundings along Mabini St. from corner A.Velez St. towards Capistrano St. up to corner Gomez St. including portions of Tiano Bros. St. from Mabini St.; Yacapin St. from Capistrano St. towards Burgos St.; and; C.Pacana St., JR Borja St. and Gomez St. from Capistrano St.
6.       Along Pabayo and T. Saco Streets from Dolores towards Clementino Chaves St. up to 15th-26th St., Nazareth.
7.       Greater portion of Macasandig, all of Tibasak, all the way to Taguanao.
CHARLIE 4:
1.       Portions of Camaman-an near and including towards Manto to the San Jose and St. Vianney Seminaries, greater portion of Camaman-an proper towards Bontong, Bolonsori up to Upper Camaman-an and Hayes Subdivision including Tipolohon.
2.       Part of Limketkai Center, Lapasan including Mc Donalds, PNB and Allied Bank.
3.       Along Recto Ave. from corner Agora Road towards Maharlika Bridge including Coca-Cola Plant & Osmeña Ext.. up to Gaabucayan St.
4.       Portion of A.Luna St. towards all of Mabulay Subdivision including portion of the Provincial Capitol and Provincial Hospital Area.
5.       Medical Center area along and bounded by Capistrano St., Echem St. up to corner Akut St., A.Velez St., and Recto Ave.(UCCP side), including all of Consolacion.
6.       Corrales Ext. from Gaabucayan St. towards most of PPA area.
7.       J.Pacana St. from Recto Avenue towards all of Macabalan area.
8.       All of RER Subdivision Phases I & 2 including Dolores compound; towards Fortune Express Shop along Maharlika Highway; including all of NHA-KSS Subdivision and portion of Bayabas near Manila Broadcasting Radio Station to Capisnon area.
9.       Greater part of Bulua from Bulua Rotonda towards all of Iponan.
10.   Greater part of Patag including Calamansi Drive, Apovel subdivision, Terry Hills subdivision and Anhawon, Bulua area.

GROUP  B  Areas [Carmen 3, Tango 1 & Pueblo 2]:
CARMEN 3:
1.       Portions of Carmen: along vicinities of Villarin St. towards portion of Canitoan-Pagatpat Road; including St. Mary’s Academy (formerly Cathedral School of Technology), Golden Village, City Hospital-DOH Area, COWD reservoir and Seriña St. from Villarin St. down to Madonna and Child Hospital.
2.       M.Suniel St. from Villarin St. down towards portion of Mabolo St.; including Matilde Neri St., Dabatian St. and Cagayan de Oro College area; and; portion of Lirio St. area.
3.       Portions of Upper Carmen towards Dagong including SM CITY; PRYCE HOTEL; SPUM & SEARSOLIN.
TANGO 1:
1.       Portions of Natumulan down to Casinglot, Tagoloan.
2.       All the Barangays of Bugo, Puerto, Tin-ao, Agusan, Tablon, Baloy, Cugman, Gusa, and greater portion of Lapasan.
3.       Portions of Lapasan-Camaman-an road from Recto Ave. towards Limketkai Commercial Center including Grand Caprice Restaurant.
4.       All of Osmeña St. and portion of Cogon Market Area (JR Borja side and Yacapin side) including Roxas St. towards portion of JR Borja St.
5.       Upper Gusa, Indahag, Malasag, FS Catanico and Balubal.
6.       Agora Market area including Gaabucayan St.
7.       Corrales Ext. from corner Recto Ave. up to Gaabucayan St.
8.       DMPI plantation, MENZI Agri, etc.
PUEBLO 2 :
1.       Portions of Upper Carmen, Upper Balulang and all of Brgy. Lumbia including; PNR Sawmill, Shop and transmitter; Pueblo de Oro, Camella Homes, Xavier Estates, Xavier Heights, Xavier High School, La Buena Vida, Frontiera and Montana subdivisions; CAA-BAT Lumbia Airport & Rio Verde.

GROUP C  Areas [Charlie 2, Carmen 1, Carmen 2, Tango 2]:
CHARLIE 2:
1.       Along Hayes St. from Camaman-an towards V.Roa St. up to corner J.Ramonal Ext., including Pinikitan, Adela, Balangiao area, Quirino St. and Yacapin Ext.; portions of Macasandig, XU Grade School areas.
2.       Along J.Ramonal Ext. from Sto. Niño, Cogon towards V.Roa St., R.Chavez St. up to Corrales Ave. corner A.Luna St.; D. Velez St & Yacapin St., JR Borja Sts between V. Roa St. and Mortola St.(PNB/Everbest) towards Daumar Sts. To Yacapin Ext. up to Doña Nieves St.
3.       Along Corrales Ave. towards FICCO, Nazareth, including Yacapin Street Towards Capistrano St.,
4.       Greater portion of Nazareth; greater portion of Ramonal Village. From Hayes-12th Sts up to T.Saco-14th Sts. ,T.Saco-6th Sts.,14th-21st Sts., and 15th-21st Sts.
CARMEN 1:
1.       Greater portion of Carmen along Lirio St., from Trinity St., towards Oak St., Max Suniel St., Vamenta Blvd, up to cor. Jasmin St. including Waterlily St. and the Carmen market area.
2.      Along Mabolo St. from Lirio St. towards corner Rosal St. including portion of Marigold St. .
3.       Portions of Carmen: vicinities along Vamenta Blvd. from Fernandez St. towards greater part of Ilaya including Zayas St. up to Callos-Elloso St.: portions of Ipil St. and Mahogany St. from Fernandez St.; Madonna & Child Hospital; and; Seriña St. from COA towards Gumamela Ext.St., Guani Coliseum (former O.Roa’s) and Maharlika Police Station.
4.       All of Macanhan, Carmen towards all of Lower Balulang.
CARMEN 2:
1.       Portions of T.Chavez St. from Corrales Ave. up to Tiano Bros. St. including portions of A.Velez St from Hayes St..
2.       Portions of Carmen along Yacal St. towards Lirio St., Vamenta Blvd., Waling-waling St. upto GSIS area including Ferrabrel St., Mango St. and portion of Rosal St. and Marigold St.
3.       All of Kauswagan proper including Fairlane Village and portion of Capisnon, Bonbon and Bayabas.
4.       Isla de Oro.
5.       Along Montalban St. from near Tiano Bros. St. towards Burgos St., del Pilar St. and Magsaysay St. including portions of Macahambus St. and Abellanosa St. from Burgos St..
6.       Portions of A.Luna St. from corner Corrales Ave.; towards vicinities along A.Velez St. upto corner Mabini St. including portion of:  Makahambus St. from A.Velez St. and Tiano Bros. St. from Macahambus St..
TANGO 2:
1.    Portions of Natumulan, greater Tagoloan proper, all the Barangays of Baluarte, Pulot, Sugbongcogon, and Gracia, Tagoloan
2.   All the Barangays of Sta. Cruz, Mohon, Sta. Ana, and Sto. Rosario, Tagoloan including Kimaya, Villanueva.
3.     All of Villanueva and Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

We hope all CEPALCO customers & the public in general will be guided by this announcement. Thank you.

Released by:


Marilyn A. Chavez
Senior Manager
Customer & Community Relations Dept.

Energy exec says gov’t to blame for power crisis - PDI

Energy exec says gov’t to blame for power crisis 

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:36:00 03/07/2010

Filed Under: Government, Crisis

OZAMIZ CITY—ENERGY Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan said it was not the El Niño weather phenomenon but the government’s lack of planning that gave rise to the power crisis.

Ampatuan said the main problem was really power generation, “so let us stop blaming the weather.”

“We have to accept the fact that we did not generate enough power,” he said during an information campaign on the 20-Year Philippine Energy Plan and Nuclear Energy 101 held in Ozamiz City on Thursday.

Ampatuan said the government did not have a concrete energy plan before the onset of the power crisis that the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, the private operator of the country’s transmission network, has blamed on the prolonged dry spell which has left many dams unable to provide electricity.

Ampatuan said the country generated 60 percent of its power source from hydroelectric plants and did not have a plan for alternative energy sources.

He said building more hydropower plants was out of the question because when the level of water sources is depleted, as happens every summer, the country faces a power crisis.

On Friday, the power deficiency in Mindanao reached 700 megawatts as peak load demand rose to 1,451 MS. The hydropower plants and other power sources were only churning out about 750 megawatts.

Ampatuan said the country had the wrong mix of energy sources.

He noted that among the most viable sources of energy were coal-fired power plants, but stressed that only “clean coal technologies” should be adopted.

But while the government may want to put up coal-fired power plants, it does not have the funds, he said.

A 1,000-MW coal-fired power plant costs $2 billion, he noted. “Where will the government get such an amount?” he said.

Ampatuan said the solution lies in the private sector, which could put more money into the construction of coal-fired power plants.

Last Friday, the first unit of the 246-MW clean coal-fired power plant of the Cebu Energy Development Corp. began full commercial operations in Toledo, Cebu. The first unit has a capacity of 82 MW. The remaining two units, also with 82-MW capacity each, will begin operations in May and December.

There is only one coal-fired power plant operating in Mindanao, the 210-MW plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, owned by STEAG State Power Devt. Corp.Tito Fiel, Ryan Rosauro and Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao

No crisis powers for Arroyo over Mindanao blackouts - PDI

No crisis powers for Arroyo over Mindanao blackouts 
By Leila Salaverria, Christine Avendaño, Cynthia Balana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:47:00 03/07/2010


MANILA, Philippines--Speaker Prospero Nograles on Saturday ruled out calling a special session of Congress to address the power crisis in Mindanao, saying that none of the House members had been able to commit themselves to such a session.

“It’s final. Most congressmen may not be able to attend,” Nograles said.

He said President Macapagal-Arroyo had also reconsidered her plan to call Congress to a special session to address the power crisis in Mindanao.

The President needs congressional approval to declare an emergency in Mindanao, which would empower her to speedily send new generators to the region.

On Friday, Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said they were willing to call a special session but expressed doubt they could muster a quorum as many legislators seeking elective office in the May election were in the thick of campaigning.

But some legislators, particularly from Mindanao, did not agree with Nograles that a special session could not be called.
Legislators should set aside politics to address the power crisis, said Deputy Speaker Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao.

“The President’s emergency powers will certainly help in quickly solving the energy crisis,” he said in a statement.

Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles said Congress should hold a special session to discuss the granting of special powers to the President.

“Mindanao is now suffering from the effects of El Niño. We should not waste time in acting on the energy crisis and other problems brought about by the dry spell,” Cerilles said.

Bulacan Rep. Reylina Nicolas said it was the duty of all members of Congress to attend a special session since they were considered public officials until June 30. She said she would attend the special session if one was called.

Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri, who is from Bukidnon, warned that the entire Mindanao could be plunged into darkness everyday if no immediate action is taken.

“We can’t wait for a month or the whole of Mindanao will suffer brownouts every day and thus, affect the economy there as well as the peace and order situation,’’ he said.

Zubiri said he had spoken to some opposition senators who told him they were willing to attend a special session if the agenda is limited only to tackling the power crisis in Mindanao.

He said he was also told by Palace officials that presidential advisers were still deciding whether to go ahead and call a special session given the unforthcoming attitude of some congressional leaders.


No need

Opposition leaders are opposed to giving emergency powers to Ms Arroyo to solve the power crisis in Mindanao. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday reiterated that Ms Arroyo did not need such powers to address the crisis.

Yesterday, deputy spokesperson Ricardo Saludo clarified that the government never asked for emergency powers for the President.

Saludo said what the Department of Energy sought was for the President to declare a power crisis in Mindanao so she could invoke a provision in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) that will lift a prohibition for the government through the National Power Corp., the state power generator, to return to the business of generating power.

“To comply with the law, we need Congress’ approval so we can invoke Section 71 of Epira that would allow the government to contract additional [generating] capacity,’’ he said in an interview with the state-run dzRB radio.


Leasing gensets

The DOE has recommended that in order to plug the crisis, the Napocor be allowed to lease modular generation sets that would provide 160 megawatts of electricity for Mindanao.

With her statement that she was adopting Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes’ recommendations, the President has already declared a power crisis in Mindanao, Saludo said.

The “next step is to wait for Congress to enact the procedures” in going about leasing the modular generation sets for Mindanao, Saludo said.

Asked if there were options other than those which would require Congress to hold a special session, Saludo said there were but “these were not big enough to end the brownouts.’’

“The bulk of the gap needed to be filled will come from the 160 megawatts of power (from the modular gensets),’’ he said.


Quorum problem

Earlier yesterday, in an interview on Vice President Noli de Castro’s “Para Sa Iyo, Bayan” televised radio program, Nograles also expressed his concern about not being able to muster a quorum in the House.

Zubiri, who was also interviewed on the program, said the Senate leadership, meaning he and Enrile, was prepared to hold a special session in order to help Mindanao.

Zubiri said the people of Mindanao were “furious” about the brownouts that they have been experiencing since last month, lasting for up to six hours a day.

Nograles noted it would be quite easy for the Senate to produce 13 senators for a special session but the House has to have at least 136 congressmen to form a quorum.


136 warm bodies needed

“We need 136 warm bodies and I cannot assure that,” Nograles told De Castro.

“The third-term members are probably already on vacation and the reelectionists are campaigning,” he said, adding that he had already relayed this concern to Enrile.

Another concern was the limited time frame and the possibility of a long debate on the issue, he said.

Reyes, who was also a guest on the program, clarified that the government was not seeking emergency powers for the President to address the power crisis but only special powers for the state to generate additional power capacity.


Earth Hour

Reyes urged consumers to observe power-saving tips at home or at work to reduce demand, especially during peak hours.

On March 27, Reyes said the country will join the rest of the world in observing “Earth Hour” by turning off electricity from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with the SM Mall of Asia as the staging point.
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